The story of Pharaoh’s slow release of the Israelites from Egypt in this week’s reading in Exodus is a back and forth between Pharaoh seeking forgiveness and relenting on the one hand, and then God hardening Pharaoh’s heart and Pharaoh refusing the Israelites on the other.
God is behind Pharaoh’s change in opinion.
Today, when we change our minds I hope we believe that it is about learning something new that advanced a different perspective.
And yet, we are critical of “flip-floppers” as inconstant and unprincipled. Without learning about one another at a deeper level we will not understand one another’s motivations.
Pharaoh was manipulated by God to magnify the plagues and convince the Israelites of God’s greatness.
We change our minds for good reasons from our own perspective. Since we seldom know the full story behind what each of us think, we should investigate and listen and learn about each other before passing judgement when people switch sides in a debate.
Wishing all of you a week of listening, learning, and meaningful connecting,
Jonathan